The brigade will be just the tenth organisation or individuals to receive the prestigious award since 1981.

Alan Smith, Mayor of South Tyneside said: “The selfless individuals who have served in the brigade are a credit to South Tyneside and I am delighted that the organisation is to receive for Freedom of the Borough - the highest honour to be bestowed on any individual or organisation.

“Throughout its long and unbroken record of lifesaving service South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade is credited with having saved over 600 lives from shipwreck. It really has made a huge difference to the lives of many people.”

The South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade battled to save the captain and the 22 man crew of the Lebanese steamer Adelfotis II by using breeches buoy - 20th January, 1963 (Image: NCJ Archive)

The brigade provides a 24-hour coastal search and rescue back-up in conjunction with HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats and other emergency services.

It was officially formed on January 30, 1866, to help prevent loss of life on the south side of the River Tyne and the coast as far as Whitburn. It was the first organisation in the world to use the breeches buoy to save lives from a shipwreck.

Tom Fennelly, honorary secretary of the South Shields Volunteer Brigade, said: “It is with immense pride, in the achievements and work of the brigade since its formation in 1866 and right up to the present day, that officers and members are greatly honoured to have been nominated for the award of the Freedom of Borough of South Tyneside.

Tom Fennelly, Honorary Sectretary of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade with the name plate of the shipwrecked Constance Ellen

“We are deeply conscious of the significance of this the highest accolade which South Tyneside Council can bestow on its citizens and organisations. It is a great tribute to those hundreds of people across the decades, since 1866, who have given so freely and willingly of their time in the service of others.

“Today’s members of the brigade are the latest links in an unbroken line of service. We work in partnership with all the other emergency services and we are proud to play a key role in providing lifesaving capability”.

A formal ceremony to mark the occasion will beheld later this year.

The South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade battled to save the captain and the 22 man crew of the Lebanese steamer Adelfotis II by using breeches buoy - 20th January, 1963 (Image: NCJ Archive)

The brigade’s listed Watch House on the South Pier in South Shields is one of the oldest all-wooden Victorian buildings in Britain.

It was the wreck of a ship called the Stanley on the Black Middens at Tynemouth on November 24, 1864, with the loss of 25 passengers and crew, which highlighted the need for a shore-based rescue organisation.

Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was formed in December 1864, South Shields in January 1866 and then Sunderland.

Eventually, more than 500 such organisations sprang up around the British coast. Today, only the North East three remain.

In April 1866 the schooner Tenterden of Sunderland was wrecked and seven people, including a woman and child, were saved, with the South Shields brigade the first to save a life from a shipwreck using the breeches buoy.

Inside the brigade’s watch house are figureheads and name boards from vessels which have come to grief.